Project Type: Misc

Project #9 Emergency Water Storage

  • by Dan

It is important to have an emergency water supply at home. we can’t survive very long without water, and with all the boil water bans and contamination issues you hear about on the news, I think it is a good idea. If I was to re-build it, a 250 gallon tank probably would have been a smarter investment. We rotate this water by cycling it through our Berkey Water filter.

This is a 110 gallon tank, that I plumbed into the cold water line of our hot water heater.

Automation-
With the simple turn of a valve, my water tank can be filled/topped off quickly from the cold line of my hot-water heater. Dispensing water is also easy through the tanks spigot. I can fill a 5 gallon bucket or connect a hose and water my plants.

  

Tank–
In order to save on shipping, I found a hardware store in my area that carryied Norwesco products, and had them add it to their next shipment. Since the hardware store only orders a few time a year, so it took a long time to arrive, but that’s better than paying the shipping costs.

Components- (All Food Grade/NSF-61)
105 gallon Norwesco Water Tank
Lowes 24″ industrial Water heater stand [1200 LBS Max]
Hose bib
Miscellaneous Fittings: threaded T, nipple, valve and 30′ water heater hose

  

How I installed a splitter on my Hotwater heater [DIY at your own risk]–
Shut off the cold water line valve, and drain some water to release the pressure. Disconnect the cold water line, and install a threaded T fitting. Connect a new valve to the T fitting and ensure that the valve is in the off position. Reconnect the cold water line. Turn the water back on and check for drips. No cutting or soldering required.
(Total time about 20 minutes)